SENATE REJECTS AMENDMENT OF SECTION 84, SUBSECTION 12 OF THE ELECTORAL ACT

The 9th Assembly has rejected the request of President Muhammadu Buhari for amendment of section 84, subsection 12 of the Electoral Act which prevents appointive political office holders from contesting for election from party primary level without resigning.

The request was rejected after the Senate Leader, Yahaya Abdullahi made the lead debate for the second reading of the bill yesterday and the Senators kicked against it and voted no when put to voice votes by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan.

Buhari last week asked the National Assembly to amend section 84 (2) Subsection 12 which stated that no political appointee shall be a voting delegate or be voted for at the convention or congress of any political party for the purpose of the nomination of any candidate for an election.

In the letter, he said the amendment was necessary as the clause constitutes a fundamental defect and leads to the disenfranchisement of political officeholders, adding that it introduces qualification and disqualification criteria that ultra vires the Constitution by way of importing comprehensive restrictions to serving political officeholders.